Bios Configuration

Mohd Saiful Rizal bin Yusoff

Hasani Enterprise
Overview

In this chapter, you will learn to

Explain the function of BIOS

Distinguish among various CMOS setup utility options

Describe option ROM and device drivers

Troubleshoot the power-on self test (POST)

 Historical/Conceptual

We Need to Talk
Bridge Introduction

Data flows through the computer

Between CPU and RAM
Between CPU and video
Between CPU and other devices

Bridges are used to connect the pieces

Northbridge
Bridge closest to the CPU
Southbridge
The farther bridge
Northbridge & Southbridge

• A chipset is a set of Northbridge and

Southbridge chips that work together

Northbridge Southbridge
Chip or chips that connect Handles all of the inputs and
the CPU to video and/or outputs to the many devices
memory in the PC
Data Flow
Northbridge and Southbridge
have connectivity with all devices
Not the same in all systems
Chipset

Northbridge

Southbridge
 Basic Input/Output System (BIOS)

Bridges connect the devices

But without a program, they don’t know how to
communicate

A special kind of program is required to enable the

CPU to talk to other devices

A Flash ROM chip stores these programs

These programs are collectively known as the basic

input/output service (BIOS)
 Talking to the Keyboard

The keyboard talks to the external data bus

Uses the keyboard controller chip (8042)
 BIOS
Each program is called a service
Programs stored on Flash ROM chips are known as
firmware
Programs stored on erasable media are called software

Keyboard
controller
chip
CMOS
Separate chip from ROM BIOS

Volatile (kept alive by battery)

Stores only changeable data

Not programs
Acts as clock to keep data current

Customizable via SETUP program

Often on Southbridge
BIOS vs. CMOS
BIOS CMOS
Programs Data

Non-volatile (stays same after Volatile (kept alive with

power off) battery)

Can be changed by “flashing” Changed via CMOS setup

Typically 64 K of programs Typically 128 K of data

(though Flash ROM is much (though chip size is typically
bigger) 64 K)

Often a separate chip Often on Southbridge

 Updating CMOS

• Updated via BIOS program

• Three primary BIOS brands
– American Megatrends (AMI), Award, Phoenix
– To enter setup, press key combination
(may be Del, ESC,
F1, F2,
CTRL-ALT-ESC,
CTRL-ALT-INS,
CTRL-ALT-Enter,
or CTRL-S)
CMOS Setup
• Main menu
– Access to all submenus
Standard CMOS Features
• Clock, hard drives, floppy drives
SoftMenu Setup

Normally set to Default or Auto for all

Advanced Features

POST, boot order

Power Management

Use to enable/disable power-saving features

PnP/PCI
Rarely need to manipulate on today’s PCs
Set Password

Locks access to CMOS settings

Prevents non-techs from changing key settings
Option ROM and Device
Drivers
BYOB

Computer makers could not predict all the new types of

hardware
Ways to bring your own BIOS (BYOB) were invented:

 Option ROM is a BIOS chip embedded on the adapter card itself –

(i.e., video cards)

 Most new hardware devices use device drivers to tell the BIOS how
to talk to the CPU

 Most devices with onboard BIOS use it only for internal needs
(internal function) and use a device driver to talk to the CPU
Device Drivers

A device driver is a file that contains the BIOS

commands necessary to communicate with the devices
they support
Loaded into RAM when the system boots

All devices come with their own device drivers

BIOS, BIOS, Everywhere

All hardware needs a program to allow CPU to

communicate with it

Could be on motherboard ROM

Could be on PC card ROM

Could be loaded via a driver

Could be loaded into RAM at boot

 IT Technician

CompTIA A+
Technician

Power-On Self Test (POST)

Power-On Self Test (POST)

The power-on self test (POST) is a special program

stored on the ROM chip

Initiated when the computer is turned on or is reset

Checks out the system every time the computer boots

Communicates errors

Beep codes

Text errors
Beep Codes

 If video is determined to be missing or faulty

 One long beep followed by three short beeps

 If everything checks out

 One or two short beeps

 If RAM is missing or faulty

 Buzzing noise that repeats until power turned off

 More complicated beep codes may be found in legacy computers

 Check motherboard manual for meaning
Text-Based Error Message
 POST Cards
POST cards are devices that monitor POSTs and report on
the hardware that may be causing problems

Turn the PC off, plug in the card, and

reboot

POST error codes do not fix the computer

– they just tell you where to
look

If all else fails, replace the motherboard

The Boot Process

The CPU is the first component initialized when the

computer is turned on

It reads a special wire called power good once the

power supply provides the proper voltage to the CPU

Every CPU has a built-in memory address with the

first line of the POST program on the system ROM
The Boot Process

The last BIOS function called by POST is the

bootstrap loader

The bootstrap loader loads the operating system from

the boot sector
Searches the floppy, CD-ROM, or the hard drive
Boot order set in CMOS

The bootstrap loader generates an error if it cannot find

the boot sector on the bootable disk
Losing CMOS Settings

Common errors
 CMOS configuration mismatch
 CMOS date/time not set
 No boot device available
 CMOS battery state low

Common reasons for losing CMOS data

 Jiggling the battery while doing other work
 Dirt on the motherboard
 Electrical surges
 Faulty power supplies
 Chip creep
Losing CMOS Settings

If your system keeps resetting

Replace the battery

Common symptoms of low battery

Slow running clock

Clock resetting to January 1st

Clearing CMOS Settings

To clear the CMOS settings, place the shunt on the

CMOS jumper

Resets to factory settings

Resets password
Flashing ROM

Flash ROM chips can be reprogrammed

Download program from manufacturer

Copy program to floppy

Some programs will run within Windows

Boot to floppy and run program

Thank you

Mohd Saiful Rizal bin Yusoff

Hasani Enterprise
Demo

Mohd Saiful Rizal bin Yusoff

Hasani Enterprise